Iraq makes strong showing as guest of honor at Tehran Int’l Book Fair
By Sadeq Dehqan
Staff writer
Iraq is participating as the guest of honor in the international section of the 36th Tehran International Book Fair, bringing with it a collection of 3,000 book titles. This year’s presence is marked by a collaboration between Iranian and Iraqi publishers, resulting in the planned publication of 150 new titles in both Arabic and Persian.
Iraq’s delegation includes 20 publishing houses. With the largest pavilion in the international section—spanning 360 square meters—the country is showcasing titles across various genres, including science, culture, history, and literature.
The aim of Iraq’s special status this year is to promote “historical, cultural, and literary ties” and foster what has been described as cultural diplomacy.
“This year, our presence is more prominent than ever,” said Thaer Jafar Al-Osami, deputy head of Iraq’s Publishers Union. “We’ve been part of the fair in past years to boost cultural and publishing exchanges, but being the guest of honor has taken it to a new level.”
Al-Osami noted that a significant portion of the showcased titles are children’s books. In recent years, Iraqi and Iranian children’s publishers have worked closely together. Many titles have been translated and distributed in both countries, strengthening cooperation in this niche market.
The Iraqi booth was organized with the support of the country’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Iraqi Publishers Union. Al-Osami said the display has received “a warm welcome” from Iranian visitors.
This is the second year the Iraqi Publishers Union has taken part in the Tehran fair. According to Al-Osami, the union has played a key role in connecting publishers from both sides.
He recalled that last year, joint contracts were signed, leading to the publication of 30 translated books. “This year, we’re aiming to bring out 150 more titles in both Arabic and Persian.”
Shared cultural and religious roots between the two nations have deepened mutual interest in literary works. “Our people are naturally drawn to each other’s literature,” said Al-Osami, attributing it to “cultural similarities.”
Al-Osami praised the Tehran Book Fair as one of the world’s largest in both scale and quality. With over 5,500 publishers attending this year, the fair has gained global standing. “This scale inspired us to take part even more seriously,” he said.
The 36th Tehran International Book Fair runs from May 6 to May 16, 2025, at the Imam Khomeini Grand Prayer Grounds, under the theme “Let’s Read for Iran.” An online version of the fair is also accessible via book.icfi.ir, offering remote book purchases.
Over 20 copyright deals
The first Tehran Publishing Fellowship, held alongside the book fair, has led to more than 20 copyright agreements for children's books. A representative from Iran’s Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults met with publishers from countries including Russia, Italy, China, India, Turkey, Nepal, Indonesia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Mongolia.
The fellowship, held from May 12 to 16 at the western wing of the fairground, was organized with support from the Iran Book and Literature House, the Iranian Grant Plan Secretariat, and the Children’s Publishers Association.
During these meetings, the Iranian representative presented both new and existing titles from the institute. The negotiations resulted in copyright sales for translations into Chinese, Turkish, Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, English, Istanbul Turkish, Albanian, Assamese, and Arabic.